Winter Break

Most grade 12 students have completed the majority of their 'CAS'.  Don't forget that you must have at least one activity that continues right up until May.  I will be holding interviews with all students during next term to make sure that everyone is on track.  Check your folder for recent comments and if you have a red flag, make sure you know why and see that you do something about it.

Happenings

Amnesty International Group collected signatures for the 'Write for Rights Campaign' that has been going on over the last month.  The students in this group visited grades 9 and 10 as well as spoke to their class mates in  grades 11 and 12 to get signatures asking governments in several parts of the world to look at human rights issues.

Rhino Preservation Group is working towards a Rhino day next term.  They will be selling friendship bands to raise money to help save rhinos.  They are looking into the possibility of sponsoring a rhino.  Help is needed to make the friendship bands so anyone who feels like being creative is welcome to join the group on Monday a 15.30 in C10.  They aim to make around 200 bands.  

Annexe Council is spreading a little Christmas spirit this week by selling candy canes with seasons greetings.  The profits will go to Stadsmission a group that helps many people with limited incomes here in Sweden.

Volunteer opportunities from http://www.volontarbyran.org/eng/for-volunteers/

If you are going somewhere for the holidays that might have people in need of pens and paper, there is an organisation that can give you supplies to take with you.  See details below.  Go to http://www.volontarbyran.org/eng/for-volunteers/ to find out more details.

Distribute Pens & Papers!Pen & Paper

Description of the volunteering opportunity: 
Pen & Paper is a non-profit volunteer driven organization. In collaboration with volunteers going abroad, we give them an opportunity to make the experience more meaningful and sustainable. We offer the volunteers packets of pens and papers, to distribute to those who are in need. 

We are looking for volunteers who are planning on going abroad, and who would like to bring packets of pens and papers - they are waiting for you!

When and where will the volunteering take place: 
Anywhere in the world, where there is a need for pens and papers. 
The next meeting for interested volunteers is in Stockholm. Press "Go to form" and we will contact you for more info!

Specific requirements and information: 
If you are interested in volunteering we regularly hold meetings where we talk about the use of pens and papers, and we distribute the packets of pens & papers to the volunteers. We would like a follow-up, in which we are informed about the use of the pens & papers. 

End of another term

There are not many weeks left of this term and it is important that you all take a serious look at your CAS folder.  Have I left a message on it in the last month?  Have you answered it?  Don't leave it until the last moment - you are going to get even busier next term so make sure you have your CAS  under control.  A green flag is a good sign!

Christmas service

Shoe box appeal:  A woman in Stockholm is organising the shoe box appeal. 

"Shoebox Appeal is a non-profit initiative with the aim to collect and distribute Christmas presents to organizations and associations working with people living under difficult circumstances in Sweden. We have operations between October and January and the collection takes place during the first half of the month of December."

Basically what you do it put some presents in a shoe box .  http://www.skokartongsappellen.se/ The page is in Swedish but the main details are translated here under 'shoe box appeal' in the pages to the right side of the blog. I will also post this on ManageBac and on the notice board. Get a group of you together and make a few boxes. The deadline is Dec 13th.

More Service

Still looking for 'service'.  Here is a job that appeared on http://www.volontarbyran.org/ .  See previous posts for other opportunities.

  Translate Dala Ekoguide from Swedish to English
2014-11-25 Naturskyddsföreningen, Dalarna (Distance Job)

Description of the volunteering opportunity: 
We need help with translation of a book and website called www.dalaekoguide.se . It includes organic farmers, stores, beauty shops and more in Dalarna.

When and where will the volunteering take place: 
The translation must be ready in March 2015.

Specific requirements and information: 
Language skills in English and Swedish. 

Municipality where the volunteering will take place:
Distansuppdrag

Minimum time commitment: 
40 hours

Area of activity: 
Miljö/natur

Keeping up with your reflections

Exams have arrived and grade 12 students will soon enter the last term of the IB Diploma.  In the midst of all the internal, external other kinds of assessment it is easy to push CAS to the back of your priority list.  Remember that you must have activities going right up until May.  It is not possible to 'finish' CAS early.  Please take some time after the exams to check the following points to ensure that you have a completed CAS folder in May.  Remember that you MUST complete CAS in order to qualify for the IB Diploma.

You must:

• Cover ALL 8 outcomes
• Have activities that cover a sufficient amount of Creativity, Action and Service
• Have reflections for all activities - these can be in any form (written, oral)
• Have evidence of participation in activities - this can be a supervisor report, gym statistics, membership cards, pictures etc. (or a combination)
• Complete the CAS questions for finished activities
• Get a supervisor report for finished activities
• Do a final reflection about what you have learned from CAS (we will do this together next term)

A note about supervisor reports:

It is up to you to contact the supervisor - if they do not respond to the Managebac email - call them, send a personal email, check the email is correct, go speak to them.  It is your responsibility to chase them up.

Request reports as soon as the activity is complete - people leave, emails change, memories are not always that good.  I notice that no one has a report from the Stockholm film festival.  Check that the email you sent really went to a person and not just a general office.  Contact them immediately as they will close down those emails.  

Red Flags

I have given out a lot of red flags to people this week.  If you have one, check carefully to see where the issues are.  I will be calling in some people for interviews over the next weeks to make sure that you all can complete your CAS.  

No flags

If you have no flag on your CAS folder is means you need to check some points.  Look at the messages I have written this week and see me if you are unsure about what I mean or what you should do.  

Green Flags

If you have a green flag - you are on track but still check any notes that I have put on your folder to make sure that you maintain your status.

Volunteer Opportunities from http://www.volontarbyran.org/eng/for-volunteers/

There are  opportunities that are only written up in Swedish but can still be done even if you don't speak much Swedish.  Red Cross (Röda Korset) is looking for people to work at Vinternatt 2.  This is shelter for homeless people and shifts are at night.  They are particularly looking for people who speak Spanish, Romanian, or Bulgarian.  There is an information evening on the 8th of December - you need to sign up for it - see me if you need help with this.  

There are still opportunities to help with Christmas events on the Swedish page from various organisations - I can help with this for anyone who doesn't read Swedish.  

Below are some opportunities that are in English

Join Make Musik Sthlm!Make Musik Sthlm

Description of the volunteering opportunity: 
Make Musik Sthlm is a music event happening on June 6th in Södermalm.
The concept is for all musicians (amateur and professional) to take over the streets and create a lively atmosphere.

Here are the main areas we need people:
social media
design
webmastering
global organisation
translation

Web Developer & Designers for a Chamber of Commerce  (Distance Job)

Ghana-Sweden Chamber of Commerce (GSCC)

Description of the volunteering opportunity: 
We are looking for enthusiastic and motivated web designers/developers who will be responsible for the design, layout and coding of the website of the chamber of commerce, and in particular in developing a database for members data and login. They will be involved with the technical and graphical aspects of the website - how the site works and how it looks. They can also be involved with the maintenance and update of an existing site. 

Adapting existing website and graphics to meet the chamber's requirements.
Create a database on the website, to include members data and login and event updates.
Update site with new pictures, activities etc.
Test the website and identify any technical problems

When and where will the volunteering take place: 
The assignment is between 1-2 months. It can be done remotely/virtual. You will be reporting to the President. After the assignment (and if you are interested) you may be invited to the join the management team as a director of chamber and help develop trade, shape public policy between Ghana and Sweden and other African countries.

Specific requirements and information: 
Website and database development (responsive websites)
Have skills in software programming and graphics
Have creativity and imagination
Be adaptable and able to pick up new techniques
Have good interpersonal and communication skills

Remember CAS must be on-going and check the list above to make sure you don't miss out on having a complete folder in May.

Extended essays and exams approaching

The grade 12s have a lot of deadlines to meet just now.  It is easy to forget about CAS around this time of year.  Most students are on track and have many of their major activities underway or completed.

Some students are a particularly busy with the Stockholm film festival this week.  It is a good experience to be involved in this international event and maybe even get to see a few interesting films.

The Nepal project within the school is really taking off and the PTA are working with teachers to get the DP students more involved in this project.

Now is the time to have a look at your folder and make sure you have covered all the outcomes and have a good range of activities covering all the area of CAS.  Don't leave it too long as you will find that life in grade 12 gets very hectic after Christmas.

On voluntarbyran.org - there are still requests for people to help with organising Christmas events.  Jobs range from baking to serving up lunch for people.  These jobs are advertised Swedish but can be done by anyone.  Ask for help if you can't read them!

Over the next few weeks I will pay a visit to advisory lesson for the grade 12s to talk about what you need to do as you finish up some of your activities.  Remember to do the reflections along the way and fill in the CAS questions at the end - BEFORE requesting a supervisor report.

Great work by the annexe council for Halloween and the MUN group for UN day.

Planning ahead

We are now coming up to term break and it's time for all the grade 12s to really think ahead and see that they have their CAS folder under control.  Most students have planned activities to cover the breadth and width of CAS - now they just have to make sure they do them all.  Many students are also writing university applications and asking for teacher recommendations. If you have been involved in activities as part of CAS, it can be good to mention them in applications.  Think about what you have learnt and how that might be of use in the next step in your education.

Christmas Volunteers and bakers wanted

Each year, Emmanuel Church hosts a Christmas party for those who otherwise wouldn't have one.  They are looking for volunteers to help on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.  Even if you can't be there in person it is possible to bake goods and leave them at the church on the 23rd December.  They are looking for saffron buns, cinnamon buns, small biscuits and ginger cakes.  The information is in Swedish but if you are interested in helping out, I can help you with translation - or ask someone else who speaks Swedish.  All goods are to home baked not bought.

http://www.volontarbyran.org/for-volontarer/

Diploma Student's newspaper

The newspaper is now up and running.  More details about how to get the latest news will come in the next blog.

Annexe Council

The Annexe council has some plans for the traditional spirit week at SIS.  I won't spoil the surprise by writing about them here.

Are you part of a CAS group with on going activities that you would like to see mentioned here?  Let me know.

Working collaboratively with others

Working collaboratively with others is not always as easy as it seems.  Working in a group requires patience, understanding and often compromising.  CAS is a great way to develop skills in this area. If the group you are part of isn't working the way you would like it to, think about ways to  change the way you work with others.  How can you improve the group dynamics?  How can you make all members of the group feel like they are an active part of the group?  Remember that this is why you do CAS - to learn by doing.  Don't forget to reflect on this outcome and show what you learn about yourself and working with others.

World Day Against Death Penalty

This week saw the Amnesty group led a discussion about the death penalty with the grade 11 students.  Many interesting and provoking thoughts were expressed and this is a topic that the Amnesty group will continue to work with.  They had filled the room with helium balloons attached to the names of people who had been executed in the last year.  At the end of the presentation students were asked to set the balloons free from the names by cutting the strings.

You will be hearing more from this group as they join Amnesty's Swedish campaign to free Hakamada Iwao, an 78 year old Japanese man with mental disabilities.  He is the world's longest serving death row prisoner having been on death row since 1993 and could be executed at any time.

Annexe Council:

The annexe council held a successful breakfast for the student sin the annexe on Friday.  It was great to see the annexe students working together to make this breakfast happen.  I believe they are also planning some events for Halloween.

Volunteer  opportunities:

At voluntärbyrån this week are still positions for helping with the 'Shockholmen' for Halloween. Tutoring opportunities, poster making and more.   http://www.volontarbyran.org/eng/for-volunteers/

Reflections

This week there has been much to reflect upon.  

The Rhino group spent the week going around talking to classes and encouraging people to join the Global March to raise awareness about Rhino and Elephant poaching.  They went round to a lot of classes and certainly raised awareness in the school.  Six people from the group also participated in the  March on Saturday, marching from the Thai embassy behind Humlegården and and all the way to the Chinese Embassy on Djugården.  Candles were lit and left at both embassies as symbol for the animals who have died for their horns.

The Newspaper group is on the verge of giving out their first edition and had to make some important decisions about content.

The Annexe council has found a new way to work that seems to be functioning.  The people in this group have decided to make committees to deal with different events and issues and take responsibility.  Many students have reflected on how this new way of working makes more people feel active in the group and is a good way to spread responsibility.

Writing reflections

It's important to remember that when you write a reflection it needs to be more than just what you did.  It should be about how you feel participating in the group/activity.  It should be about what you learn about yourself as a learner and others.  CAS is learning by doing so you need to show what you learn.  Even if you are part of an activity because you feel you have to be, you will learn something and that is the point of CAS!

Here are some questions that can guide your reflections.  Remember always to keep in mind the outcomes that you chose and see that you related to those as well.

• What do you perceive and notice?
• How you feel being involved?
• What do you think and feel about the activity itself?
• What does the activity mean to you?
• What value does the activity have?
• What did you learn from this activity, and how might you use this in other areas of your life ?

Coming up:

This coming week look out for activities by the Amnesty group.  Friday is World Day Against Death Penalty.

Are you a Halloween enthusiast? 'Shockholm'  is organizing an even in Stockholm and looking for volunteers. http://shockholm.se/

CAS events in October

All the grade 12s have had their interviews and are busy working on fixing any holes they might have in their CAS folders - in between studying of course.  At this time of year in grade 12 work really starts to take a priority - so it's good to have things under control with regards to CAS.  A couple of groups have some exciting events planned for this month.

A note on Reflections

When I was going through the CAS folders for grade 12, I noticed that a lot of people have some difficulty with reflections.  A good hint is to look at the outcomes you have chosen for the activity.  Choose one as a focus for each reflection.  Write about how you feel doing the activity.  A reflection should not just be what you did but what you learned about yourself doing it.  That's really the point of CAS - to learn through doing.  If you take it a sept further you should also be able to comment on how your participation impacts on others and the future implications for what you do.

Rhino Preservation Group

Oct 4th - Global Walk for Elephants and Rhinos.  

This week the students are going around the whole MYP to encourage people to join this walk to raise awareness of the plight of these animals.  They will be giving out leaflets and presenting to advisory classes.

Check out their web page:  http://rhinopreservationstockholm.wordpress.com for more information about the plight of rhinos and sign up to join the walk on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/events/537467249697710/

Amnesty International Group

October 10th - Debate/presentation about Death Penalty 

This will be held during the grade 11/12 advisory time and coincides with World Day against Death Penalty.  More activities are planned to draw attention to this important issue.

Hiking group

October 12th - Hike with global issues and ethical implications in focus

A hiking group is planning to take a hike in Tyresta National Park.  Kris has more information about this and will be spreading the word.  Grade 11 and 12 students are invited to join.  Ms Celino will be accompanying the hikers to this area where we will see what happens to a forest after fire.

MUN group

October 24th - United Nations Day

Plans are underway for a trip to Berlin to join the Model United Nations conference there.  This group is also working on an event for United Nations Day on October 24th as well as planning a MUN day in February.  Last year's theme was refugees and they are now looking at a theme to follow up on the work done in the last school year.  

Newspaper Group

No date set but hopefully we will be seeing the first edition of the paper in October!

Keep looking on volontarbyran.org for ideas for service.  This week there are requests for tutors (on the English page) as well as people to help with football training for refugees (Swedish page).  Stockholm Film festival is still looking for volunteers and whilst this appears on the Swedish page many non-Swedish students have helped with this before.  Ask a Swedish friend to help you fill out the application!

This week in CAS

The interviews are over with most of the grade 12s and I have been impressed by the range of activities that you are involved in.  Well done.  Make sure that you have something that keeps your CAS folder open until the exam times and look out for some short term opportunities to get involved in.

This week there have been a few events.

Amnesty Group
This group had a visit from an organiser from Amnesty Sweden and is looking at becoming an official Amnesty youth group.  This means that Amnesty will look at the way the group handles the upcoming campaign and then if all goes well invite the members to officially join Amnesty.  This will mean that students will be invited to meetings outside of school as well as other activities.  The current campaign is about Death Penalty - culminating with World Day against Death Penalty on October 10th.  The group will be holding a debate/presentation during advisory lesson on that day and plans to have other activities leading up to it.

The recycling group
This group have set up some bins for bottles and cans in annexe C.  I have noticed that people haven't quite caught onto the right way to use them so perhaps they will have to start some education for the annexe students.

Rhino Preservation Group
This group is well underway with plans to present the plight of rhinos to the whole MYP and DP sections of the school.  Their efforts will culminate in 'Global March for Elephants and Rhinos' on October 4th.  


Kindergarten Assistants
Five students from grade 12 have been offered the opportunity to help as assistants in the kindergarten.  The will be starting next week.

Film Festival
Many students in both 11 and 12 have signed up as volunteers for the Stockholm Film Festival in November. 

If you wish your group to get a mention here - send me an email for drop in for a chat.  If you are interested in any of these groups - go along to the meetings.  Meeting times are displayed on the pink notice board.



This week on Volontärbyrån:

A group called Action 10 -  a non-profit organisation operating in low income countries (www.action10.org). which has   programs in eg Togo, Kenya, Cameroon, Uganda and Nigeria and a vision of  a world without extreme poverty - is looking for several people to help - especially with IT skills.

Some of the positions mentioned in previous blogs are still open.  Check out volontarbyran.org for more information.

CAS interviews and projects

Interviews

This week I have been interviewing grade 12 to make sure that they are on track with their CAS folders.  It's time for everyone to make sure that they have enough Creativity, Action and Service.  You also need to check that you have covered all the 8 outcomes, have a least one project and at least one activity that continues right up to the end of IB.  Most students are well on their way to having a completed CAS folder in May.

Projects

Many of the CAS groups are planning their projects for this term.  Here are some of the exciting projects that are on-going.  If you are not a member of one these groups but think it is interesting go to the meeting and join up.

Mondays 10.30 - Compassionate Journeys
This group is planning to finish up their 'dream pillow' project and raise some more funds to pay for bicycles to help teachers get to schools in Ghana.  So far they have raised over 1000 crowns.

Mondays 15.30 in C9 - Newspaper group
Last school year 2 girls in grade 10 came to me and asked if starting a newspaper would be a CAS activity.  It is great to see that now they have started the IB, they are going ahead with this project and have got quite a lot of interested students with them - in both grades 11 and 12.  I have been contacted by a school in Tianjin in China about co-operating with a CAS project and we hope that the newspaper group can perhaps interview someone in the IB school there.

Tuesdays 10.30 C10 - Amnesty International Group
This group is currently working on  debate/presentation about death penalty.  They have quite a few people on the against side but not some many for.  If your are interested in helping out with this please go to the meeting.
On Sept 19th, Heidi - a student from last year, will visit and meet with the Amnesty group during advisory time (13.45).  She is currently volunteering at Amnesty in Stockholm and helping them to form youth groups in schools.

Wednesdays 10.30 Rhino preservation group
This group is continuing to raise awareness about Rhino preservation this year and are currently planning a week with presentations to the whole school.  The week will culminate in a walk called the 'Global March for Elephants and Rhinos' on October 4th.  This is being organised world wide and the school that we have been cooperating with in Botwsana will also be participating.  The group aim to get as many SIS students to join as possible.  There are posters up around the school and a facebook page with details about the Stockholm walk.
https://www.facebook.com/events/537467249697710/


There are other groups that are working on projects - if you want me to include them here next week please send me an email with details.

Don't forget if you are looking for more service activities that  http://www.volontarbyran.org/eng/ has listings from groups wanting volunteers - this is the link to the English page - you find even more opportunities on the Swedish page.  This week you can find:

Activity organisers wanted for a group called Taman - arranging activities for children.  This is an international organisation working for Friendship without borders.

Also if you are interested in volunteering at a homeless shelter see the notice on the pink notice board for Vinternatt or speak to Anna in grade 12 as she has worked there.

Keep up with your CAS and let me know if your group have something it wants to be included in this blog. 

. 

Back to school

It's back to school for real now with a full week of classes and lots of goals to be met in the last year of the IB for the grade 12 students. Interviews will take place the week beginning 8th September.  

CAS continues and must continue right up until May for it to be 'completed'.  When you begin your exams I will take my last look through your folders and click the 'completed' button before sending a message to the IB co-ordinator who then sends a message to the IB.

What do you have to do to make sure that your folder gets that final 'completed'?

• Make sure you have a good balance between Creativity, Action and Service - approximately 50 hours of each but remember it's not the hours that count but the quality!
• Make sure you have at least one 'project'.  This must be an activity you did in a group and it has to combine at least 2 of creativity, action and service.
• Make sure that you have activities right up to the end - you cannot finish CAS early. At least one activity must be continue into May.
• Keep up with your refections.  Once again it's quality not quantity that counts but if you have only one reflection for an activity that is long term, it had better be a very good one!  For short term activities (one day or a few hours) the CAS questions are enough.
• Make sure you have supervisor reports for any finished activities.  try to get these as soon as you finish - don't wait 6 months.  Your supervisor might change jobs, email address or not remember you etc.
• Make sure you have covered each of the 8 outcomes.

This week in school

Most of you will have your CAS interviews this week.

Amnesty Group is meeting at break on Monday.

Other groups are meeting look at the pink board for updates.

Still looking for service activities?

Have your tried http://www.volontarbyran.org/eng/for-volunteers/ ?

They now have a lot more in English as well as a long list of opportunities in Swedish.

This week you can find volunteer work as:

•  'Dungeon Masters' leaders
•  people to take pens and paper to places in need when they travel
•  the American Football league is looking for help - no need to know anything about football (16 August) 
• people with communication/computer skills to work with an organisation in Ghana (distance)
• all kinds of jobs with 'Shockholm' a group organising a Halloween celebration in Stockholm
• translators are needed for a Christian organisation (English and Swedish fluency)

CAS award and the summer

It was a pleasure to give out the CAS award for service for my first time as CAS coordinator.  The award went to  Heidi and Oliver in grade 12.  Both of these students have been active in many CAS projects including MUN, Amnesty and Career Day.

In grade 11 the award went to Laura, Thea and Charlotte for their work with the 'Compassionate Journeys' organisation.  Most recently they organised students to participate in a fun run to and collected over 1000 crowns from sponsors.  They hope to do this again on a bigger scale next term.  They will let you know how you can participate either actively or by sponsoring.  They money they raise will go to help buy bicycles for teachers in Ghana to assist them in getting to school.

Remember that you can do CAS over the summer.  Heidi, in conjunction with Amnesty,  is looking for people to help out in the Pride Parade that is held in Stockholm each summer.  It's from the 27July to the 2nd of August.  Send an email to her school email address - just type in Heidi and it will come up - if you are interested.


Remember that http://www.volontarbyran.org/ is a good place to find volunteer work on Sweden.  There are quite a few events that are happening over the summer that you can volunteer for.

Enjoy your holidays.

See you in August

Last weeks!

CAS reports

Next week I will be uploading progress reports for all grade 11s.  Your  parents/guardians will receive a link to click on so that they can see the report on ManageBac.  You will be able to find your progress report in your CAS folder under CAS documents.  It will give details of both your planned and completed activities.  If you get a red flag on that it means that I am concerned that you have not planned or completed enough hours to reach the goals for CAS.

Completed/planned hours

Please note that hours only appear as completed when the activity is finished.  This means that if you have an activity such as going to the gym, you might already have done 25 hours and plan another 25 hours but on the report it will show 50 hours planned.  They will not change to complete until the activity ends some time in the next school year.

Don't wait to get a report

If you have activities that are finished, make sure that you write up the CAS questions and request a supervisor report as soon as possible.  Do not wait 6 months before asking someone to write up a report.  Your supervisor might not be around any more or have trouble remembering who you are!

Grade 12 CAS reports

All grade 12s parents/guardians should have received a link to the final CAS report for their sons or daughters. You can find this under the CAS documents on ManageBac.  It is there as long as you have access to ManageBac.  I recommend that you print it out and save it as it has details of activities that you have been involved in as well as the comments that supervisors made about your participation.  If you would like me to print it for you, pop by before the end of school.

Project Outreach/Hunger Project

This week saw the grade 12s graduate and the end of a project that many of them have worked on over the last 2 years.  This project started in the school several years ago by a student who wanted to help children in Afghanistan.  It has evolved over the years to a group that supports an organisation called the Hunger Project: http://www.thp.org/where_we_work/partner_countries/sweden/overview1 This is an organisation that is active in many countries helping people in need.  This week 4717.00 sek was donated to The Hunger Project through their Swedish office.  Well done to all the students involved in this project.  

Amnesty Day

On Wednesday 11 June the grade 12 students who have been part of the Amnesty Group will be holding an Amnesty Day in the morning for the grade 9 and 10 students.  They are coming back in to school to run this activity.  They are hoping to stimulate interest in Amnesty and hopefully see the start of  an active Amnesty Youth Group in the the school next year.  Heidi will actually doing some  work for Amnesty over the summer and hopes to help develop their youth program. 

Summer is nearly here!

This last week I have been going through all your folders and most people have been able to show that they have enough planned activities to gain a green flag.  Make sure that the plans come to fruition and don't leave everything to the last minute.  Next year will be busier than this year so getting some of your CAS done over the summer can be a good idea.

This link is to an organisation that has information about volunteer work in Sweden.  There are some activities coming up on National Day (6 June).

http://www.volontarbyran.org/for-volontarer/

You can sort the information for where you are and there is some information in English at http://www.volontarbyran.org/eng/about-volontarbyran/info-and-tips/.  Most of the activities are only in Swedish but it is possible to help even if you don't speak Swedish.  Ask a Swedish speaker to help you find something or see me and I can help you.

The Compassionate Journey's group is participating in a fun run - the 'colormerad' run http://www.colormerad.se/ in Bromma on the 7th June.  They are looking for people to sponsor them - the money will go to help a community in Ghana purchase bicycles so that the teachers can get to the schools.  You can sponsor by donating a set amount or per runner they get signed up.  They have about 6 people signed up.  See Charlotte, Laura or Thea about sponsoring.  There are posters up around and they should be looking around for sponsors so keep your eyes open.

Amnesty Day is going ahead on the 11 June.  The grade 12 students are planning this day even after their exams are over and their CAS is finished.  There will be a presentation and a debate by grade 9.

Supervisor Reports

I realise that exams are starting to take priority now but don't forget to send off supervisor reports for any activities that finish this term.  Fill in the CAS questions and then click the Request Supervisor Review button on the right hand side.  Make sure that you have filled in the correct email and name before sending it otherwise your supervisor will not be able to fill it in.  If you prefer to do it in paper form click the CAS completion form below and it will create a PDF document that you can print out and get filled in.  You can then scan the form into the CAS documents and let me know so that I can mark the activity as completed.

Get supervisor reports as soon as possible - don't wait as it is sometimes hard to find them 6 months after the event!

Good luck with the exams.

Keeping up with CAS

For grade 11s the first year is of the IB is nearing the end.  It's a good time to look at how far you have got with your CAS and see what areas need to be given a little more attention.

DO you  have  activities that cover all the 8 outcomes?

DO you have a CAS project - an activity that is collaborative, long term (at least 3 months), and is at least 2 of Creativity, Action and Service?

DO you have activities that cover all 3 of Creativity, Action and Service?

Remember that next year, you will have a lot of work to do and less time for CAS than you have had this year so try to aim to have a lot of the CAS done before the beginning of next term.  You must have activities that continue into the 4th term but it is hard to  find time for major projects in the last term.

If you have activities that are complete, make sure you fill in your CAS questions and request a supervisor report.  Don't wait too long to get a report from a supervisor as they might leave the school, change email or be hard to contact 6 months after an activity is over.

If you are lost for ideas come and see me or take a look at the page on the blog with webpages and inspirations.

If you have a red flag, you must make an appointment to see me in the next week.


Evidence!  Remember to keep up with adding evidence to ManageBac.  Upload your gym attendance now.  Sometimes when a gym updates their system all old statistics are deleted.  Some gyms delete statistics at the beginning of the year and start again.

Reflections!  Take some time to do a reflection for each activity.  Make it a good one.  Think about what you have learnt and how you are working towards meeting the outcomes.  Regular reflection is easier than trying to make it up at the end.

The Compassionate Journeys group is working towards running to raise money.  Look out for an opportunity to sponsor them!  Meeting Tuesday 10.30

The Amnesty group is planning a theme day on June 11.  If you are interested in helping attend next week's meeting in C10 on Friday at 10.30.

The Rhino group have a web page in the making:  http://rhinopreservationstockholm.wordpress.com
and are planning some presentations and a fund raising even for the beginning of next term. Meeting Wednesday 10.30.

Increased awareness of your strengths and areas for growth

This is not always so easy to reflect on.  It takes a critical eye to work out what you need to do to improve and what you are actually already good at.  Take a look at yourself.   Do you stick to things that you are good at?  What are those skills?  What areas do you need to work on?  Refer to the IB learner profile.  Which of those attributes are you weakest in?  Could you develop one or more them through your CAS activity?    They are listed here below.  Read them through.  Look at the document we did at the beginning of the year where you wrote down you goals for CAS and where your strengths and weaknesses lie.  It should be in your CAS folder on ManageBac.   See if you can reflect on this aspect over the next month.

Inquirers 

They develop their natural curiosity. They acquire the skills necessary to conduct inquiry and research and show independence in learning. They actively enjoy learning and this love of learning will be sustained throughout their lives.

Knowledgeable

They explore concepts, ideas and issues that have local and global significance. In so doing, they acquire in-depth knowledge and develop understanding across a broad and balanced range of disciplines.

Thinkers

They exercise initiative in applying thinking skills critically and creatively to recognize and approach complex problems, and make reasoned, ethical decisions.

Communicators

They understand and express ideas and information confidently and creatively in more than one language and in a variety of modes of communication. They work effectively and willingly in collaboration with others.

Principled

They act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness, justice and respect for the dignity of the individual, groups and communities. They take responsibility for their own actions and the consequences that accompany them.

Open-minded

They understand and appreciate their own cultures and personal histories, and are open to the perspectives, values and traditions of other individuals and communities. They are accustomed to seeking and evaluating a range of points of view, and are willing to grow from the experience.

Caring

They show empathy, compassion and respect towards the needs and feelings of others. They have a personal commitment to service, and act to make a positive difference to the lives of others and to the environment.

Risk-takers

They approach unfamiliar situations and uncertainty with courage and forethought, and have the independence of spirit to explore new roles, ideas and strategies. They are brave and articulate in defending their beliefs.

Balanced

They understand the importance of intellectual, physical and emotional balance to achieve personal well-being for themselves and others.

Reflective

They give thoughtful consideration to their own learning and experience. They are able to assess and understand their strengths and limitations in order to support their learning and personal development.